BARCELONA are ready to rival Manchester United and Arsenal in their attempts to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund.

Both United and Arsenal were linked with a summer move for Gundogan, and the player's failure to agree a new contract at Dortmund has only added to the speculation that the German international may be ready to move on.

And reports in Spain suggest that Barcelona have thrown their hat into the ring to add the 23-year-old to their squad.

According to AS Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta travelled to Germany at the start of the week to discuss a potential move for Gundogan.

Ilkay Gundogan is yet to sign a new contract at Borussia Dortmund [GETTY]

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta travelled to Germany at the start of the week to discuss a potential move for Ilkay Gundogan

The paper suggests that Barca have not lost faith in Xavi but with the midfield maestro now 33 years old, the Catalan club are starting to plan for the future, and consider Gundogan as a possible replacement.

Gundogan is thought to be an enticing option for Barca because at 23-years-old he represents both youth and experience, having played in the Champions League and won eight caps for Germany.

Barcelona have reportedly already tied up a deal to bring Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to the Camp Nou at the end of the season, and they may follow that up by bringing in another German in the shape of Gundogan.

Earlier this month Gundogan was linked with a move to Barcelona's fierce rivals, with a £25m bid mooted but it seems that a bidding war could be about to ensue for the player's services.